The family behind the mat
Built by a family.Run like one.
Abie and Laura Gonzales built this mat for their three sons first. In 2024 they opened the door to Rio Rancho.
- Est. 2024
- Two U.S. Army veterans
- IBJJF certified coaches
IAbout · The crest
Three wordson the crest.
“The logo says it all.” Eloisa W. · Google review
- 01Competition
A two-time IBJJF No-Gi World Champion runs the room. Fridays belong to the kids who want to compete.
- 02Family
The kids program came first, built for their own sons. All three grew up competing.
- 03Community
We Defy scholarships for veterans, One Pass for city workers, and an open mat on Saturday.
IIAbout · The founders
Same name tape.Same mat.
Black belt · Head instructor
Abie Gonzales
Black belt2× IBJJF No-Gi World ChampionBronze Star
A black belt with a background in wrestling and MMA, Abie won IBJJF No-Gi world titles at purple and brown belt and took second at the IBJJF Master Worlds. Before the mat came twenty years in the U.S. Army and three tours in Iraq.
Co-owner · Kids instructor
Laura Gonzales
U.S. Army veteranCombatives Level I and IIKids program
Laura met Abie on a U.S. Army tour in Iraq, running resupply missions across Maysan Province; they married in 2012. She earned her Army Combatives certificates at Fort Carson, then left the Army to focus on martial arts. Today she coaches the kids program beside him.
“Every night we're here in the gym, we're on the mat together as a family.”KRQE
Their three sons grew up competing. Every coach here is IBJJF certified. Meet the instructors
IIIAbout · The room
Step ontoour mats.
“After my daughter faced bullying at school, we enrolled her in jiu-jitsu with Professor Abie, Coach Laura, and Coach Brandon. The transformation has been incredible.” Kenneth B., parent
